Folding keyboard for an electronic communications device

ABSTRACT

A miniature keyboard for a palm held computer is disclosed. The miniature keyboard includes a plurality of keys for providing input to a hand held computing device. The keyboard includes a platform supporting the plurality of keys. The platform is configured to be sized for use by a single hand and the platforms is selectively foldable to substantially conceal the plurality of keys from view. The keyboard also includes a support structure that couples the platform to the hand held computing device body. The support structure is configured to prevent substantial movement of the platform relative to the hand held computing device body. 
     A handheld electronic communications device is disclosed. The handheld electronic communications device comprises a housing supporting communication electronics and a display. The housing has a periphery. A first platform is integrated into the housing and supports a first set of keys. The first set of keys is a subset of a full set of alphabetic keys. The full set of alphabetic keys comprises raised key buttons. A second platform supporting a second set of keys is further disclosed. The second set of keys is a subset of the full set of alphabetic keys. A hinge is coupled between the first platform and the second platform. The hinge allows movement of the second platform from a first position to a second position. The second platform in the first position is within the periphery.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/707,378, filed on Dec. 9, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,057,887 entitledMINIATURE KEYBOARD FOR A HANDHELD COMPUTER, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/778,400, filed on Feb. 7, 2001, entitledMINIATURE KEYBOARD FOR A HANDHELD COMPUTER, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,170,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to input devices for portable electronic devicessuch as, but not limited to hand held computing devices. In particular,the invention relates to a miniature keyboard for a hand held computerdevice in which the keyboard is foldable to provide selective access tothe keys. Further, the miniature keyboard may be configured as aseparate accessory that is attachable to the hand held device or may beconfigured as an integrated input device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hand held computing devices, “palmtops”, “palmhelds”, PDAs or hand heldcomputers typically weigh less than a pound and fit in a pocket. Thesehand helds generally provide some combination of personal-informationmanagement, database functions, word processing and spreadsheets.Because of the small size and portability of hand held computers, strictadherence to hardware constraints, such as input device hardwareconstraints, must be maintained.

It is conventional to employ a touch pad or handwriting recognition areaand/or device to provide input to the hand held computer. Because of thesmall size of hand held computers, data input in an efficient andergonomic manner is often an issue. Accordingly, handwriting recognitionareas and touch pads are used to facilitate such data input. Further,full size keyboards, which couple to the electronic serial connector ofhand held computers, have been produced. Such full size keyboards may beconfigured to be separately foldable for storage and for portability.

Accordingly, there is a need for a miniature sized keyboard configuredfor use with a hand held computer that is couplable to the electricalconnector of the hand held computer and which is configured to supportthe hand held computer such that relative movement between the hand heldcomputer and the detachable keyboard are minimized. Further, there is aneed for a miniature keyboard being configured of a size to be typed onwith a single hand and providing good support to minimize movementbetween the keyboard device and the hand held computer. Further still,there is a need for a miniature keyboard having a keypad area that maybe selectively concealed when the keypad is not being utilized withoutrequiring detachment of the miniature keyboard assembly from the handheld computer. Yet, further still, there is a need for a miniaturekeyboard that may be integrated into the hand held computer.

The techniques herein below extend to those embodiments which fallwithin the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether theyaccomplish one or more of the above mentioned needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an input device fora hand held computing device. The hand held computing device includes abody, a display area, and an electrical connector. The input deviceincludes a plurality of keys for providing input to the hand heldcomputing device. The input device also includes a platform supportingthe plurality of keys. The platform is configured to be sized for use bya single hand and the platform is selectively foldable to substantiallyconceal the plurality of keys from view. Further, the input deviceincludes a support structure coupling the platform to the hand heldcomputing device body. The support structure is configured to preventsubstantial movement of the platform relative to the hand held computingdevice body.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an input devicefor a palm held electronic information device. The electronicinformation device includes a body, a display area, and an electricalconnector. The input device includes a plurality of keys for providinginput to the electronic information device. The input device alsoincludes a platform supporting the plurality of keys. The platform isconfigured to be sized for use by a single hand. The platform includes ahinge to selectively move the plurality of keys from a stowed positionto a useable position. Further, the input device includes an interfaceconfigured to electrically couple the platform to the electronicinformation device. Further still, the input device includes a supportstructure coupling the platform to the electronic information devicebody, the support structure is configured to prevent substantialmovement of the platform relative to the electronic information devicebody.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a miniaturekeyboard for a palm held computer. The palm held computer including abody, a display area, and an electrical connector. The miniaturekeyboard includes a plurality of keys configured to provide input to thepalm held computer. The miniature keyboard also includes a platformconfigured to support the plurality of keys. Further, the miniaturekeyboard includes a keyboard electrical connector configured tointerface with the palm held computer electrical connector. Furtherstill, the miniature keyboard includes a support structure coupling theplatform to the palm held computer body.

Yet further still, the miniature keyboard includes a hinge coupled tothe platform and configured to selectively move at least a portion ofthe plurality of keys to a stowed position from an accessible position.Yet further still, an exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to aminiature keyboard for a hand held computer. A miniature keyboardincludes a plurality of keys configured to provide input to the handheld computer. The miniature keyboard also includes a platformconfigured to support at least some of the plurality of keys. Further,the miniature keyboard includes a support structure for the platformintegrated into the hand held computer. Further still, the miniaturekeyboard includes a hinge coupled to the platform and configured toselectively allow movement of the platform from a stowed position to anaccessible position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a hand held computer having an integratedkeyboard;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the hand held computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a depiction of a hand held computer having a detachablekeyboard;

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the hand held computer of FIG. 3 with thekeyboard in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a depiction of the hand held computer of FIG. 3 showing theopening and closing aspect of the keyboard;

FIG. 6 is a depiction of the keyboard being attached or detached;

FIG. 7 is a depiction of a user typing on the keyboard; and

FIG. 8 is a depiction of another exemplary embodiment of a foldablekeyboard device for an hand held computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a hand held computer 100 is depicted, havingan integrated input device 110 according to an exemplary embodiment.Hand held computer 100 may include Palm™ style computers, and otherdevices manufactured by Palm, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif. Otherexemplary embodiments of the invention may include Windows CE™ hand heldcomputers, or other hand held computers and personal digital assistants,as well as cellular telephones, and other mobile computing devices.

Preferably, hand held computer 100 includes interactive hardware andsoftware that performs functions such as maintaining calendars, phonelists, task lists, notepads, calculation applications, spreadsheets,games, and other applications capable of running on a computing device.Hand held computer 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes aplurality of input functions, keys 117 and a display 113 havinggraphical user interface features. Display 113 may be provided with aninterface that allows a user to select and alter displayed content usinga pointer, such as, but not limited to, a stylus 112 (shown stowed inFIG. 2). In an exemplary embodiment, display 113 also includes a writingsection 118, which uses the Graffiti™ handwriting recognition softwareor other handwriting recognition software, for tracing alphanumericcharacters as input. A plurality of input buttons 119 for performingautomated or preprogrammed functions may be provided on a portion ofdisplay 113. In an exemplary embodiment, display 113 is a touch screendisplay that is electronically responsive to movements of a stylus onthe surface of display 113. Button 155 on input device 110 may also beused to provide a variety of programmed functions, including, but notlimited to scrolling functions.

Input device 110 may be one of several types of accessories, such as,but not limited to, a keyboard type input device. Input device 110 mayinclude one or more ports for parallel and/or serial data transfer withother computers or data networks. Hand held computer 100 may utilizeinput device 110 for the purpose of inputting data and for performingother functions on hand held computer 100, for example. Input device 110may be, in an exemplary embodiment integrated into hand held computer100. Input device 110 may alternatively be a detachable device asdiscussed below in reference to FIGS. 3-7.

An antenna 125 for receiving and transmitting wireless communicationsignals may also be provided in an exemplary embodiment. Further, in anexemplary embodiment, antenna 125 may also include a light indicator 130for indicating when a communications signal is being transmitted and/orreceived by hand held computer 100 or to indicate other states of handheld computer 100. In a further exemplary embodiment, hand held computer100 may be used for any of a variety of wireless communications,including, but not limited to, communications with the World Wide Web,cellular telephone communications, e-mail communications, etc.

Because the requirements for manipulating data, such as, but not limitedto text data, are heightened with access to wireless communications,such as e-mail and other information available over the World Wide Web,it may be advantageous to include an input device 110 that is aredundant input device to writing section 118. In an exemplaryembodiment, input device 110 may be a keyboard having a keyboardplatform 135 for supporting a plurality of keys 136. The plurality ofkeys may be any type of keys including alpha numeric keys and otherfunction keys such as space key 137 and enter key 138. However, any of avariety of other keys may be included. Further, in an exemplaryembodiment, a plurality of function keys may be included on platform135. In an exemplary embodiment, keys 136 may be configured in a QWERTYkeyboard format. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, keyboard platform135 may include a hinge 140 dividing the keyboard into two sections, afolding section 145 and a substantially fixed section 150. In anexemplary embodiment, hinge 140 may be a living hinge, which is moldedinto platform 135. However, any of a variety of hinges may be used tocouple sections 145 and 150 to each other. In an exemplary embodimentplatform 135 may be covered with a rubberized or flexible membrane thatallows for deformation of the keyboard platform 135 during typing andstowing.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a user may choose to place keyboard platform 135in a closed position such that keys 136, 137, and 138 are not in plainview to a user and the user is provided access to writing area 118.Should a user wish to utilize the input functions of keyboard platform135, the user would open the keyboard to the positions depicted in FIG.2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment is depicted as handheld computer 200. Hand held computer 200 includes a display area 213, aplurality of function keys 217, and a writing section 218. Further, aplurality of input buttons 219 may be integrated into the touch screento provide pre-programmed functions. Further, hand held device 200 mayinclude an antenna 225 having an indicator light 230. In alternativeembodiments, hand held device 200 is not necessarily provided with anantenna. Further still, alternative hand held computing devices 200 mayoptionally include having an antenna 225 and an indicator light 226. Ifindicator light 226 is provided, however, it may be located in any of avariety of areas not limited to antenna 225. Alternatively, hand heldcomputer 200 may be configured with software which provides an indictorin display area 213.

In an exemplary embodiment, a detachable input device 210 is providedfor electronic coupling to hand held computer 200. Input device 210 maybe selectively coupled to hand held computer device 200 through anelectrical connector located at a bottom portion of hand held computer200. In an exemplary embodiment, input device 210 includes a supportstructure having a rear or sleeve portion 235 (see FIG. 5) that wrapsaround a rear face 238 of hand held computer 200. Further, detachableinput device 210 includes a plurality of input buttons 217 which may ormay not be configured to duplicate the functions of input buttons 216(see FIG. 6). Further, detachable input device 210 includes an inputbutton 242 that may be used for any of a variety of functions,including, but not limited to, scrolling. Further still, in an exemplaryembodiment, detachable input device 210 includes a platform 245 forsupporting a plurality of keys. In FIG. 3, platform 245 is shown in aclosed position whereby the plurality of keys cannot be seen by a user.

FIG. 3 depicts input device 210 coupled to hand held computer 200 insuch a manner that platform 245 conceals keys 246, but provides accessto writing area 218 such that a mode of input, in particular,handwriting recognition, may be utilized.

As depicted in FIG. 7, input accessory 110 is configured to be sized foruse by a single hand. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7, a user mayhold the body of hand held computer 100 with the left hand and maysubsequently type on keyboard platform 135 with a second hand. Inputdevice 110 is not necessarily constrained to be sized for a single handor is not necessarily used by a single hand. Alternatively, inputaccessory 110 may be sized for typing with two hands, or input accessory110 may be used by two hands when hand held computer 100 is set on atable, desk, or the like or input may be provided to keys 136 by theuser's thumbs while hand held computer 100 is held by a user's fingers.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, keyboard platform 245 is depictedin an open position. Keyboard platform 245 includes a hinge area 250which allows keyboard platform 245 to open and close. Further, FIG. 5depicts platform 245 being folded from an open position to a closedposition. A hinge 240 allows the opening and closing action. Also,depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, input device 210 is depicted as being adetachable keyboard device having a front portion, shown as platform 245and a rear portion, shown as sleeve 235. As depicted in FIG. 6, inputdevice 210 slides onto hand held computer 200 and is supported by sleeve235 such that substantial movement of platform 245 relative to hand heldcomputer 200 is avoided during use. Input device 210 is configured to beselectively attachable and detachable from hand held computer 200 and isconfigured such that a user may desire to attach input device 210 ontohand held computer 200 and optionally use redundant input areasrepresented by keys on platform 245 and by handwriting recognition area218 without having to detach input device 210 from hand held computer200 due to the folding stowability of platform 245, as depicted in FIG.5.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of an input device310 for a hand held computer 300 is depicted. Input device 310 may beeither an integrated device integrated into hand held computer 300 oralternatively may be a detachable device that is selectively detachablefrom hand held computer 300. Input device 310 as shown is a keyboarddevice having a keyboard platform 315 with a plurality of keys 322.Further, input device 310 includes a plurality of function keys 325 andinput key 330 and any of a variety of other types of keys 335 forcarrying out a variety of functions including, but not limited to, shiftand enter. In the exemplary embodiment shown, platform 315 is coupled toa hinge 320. Hinge 320 allows keyboard platform 315 to be rotated aboutan edge of keyboard platform 315 so that keyboard platform 315 may berotated and stowed behind a rear surface of hand held computer 300.Input device 310 is not limited to the hinge configuration shown, butmay be configured in a variety of ways to allow keyboard platform 315 tobe stowed out of sight and to fully reveal a touch screen 350.

While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particularformulations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve thepurpose of illustration only. The hardware and software configurationsshown and described may differ depending on the chosen performancecharacteristics and physical characteristics of the computing devices.For example, the type of computing device, communications bus, orprocessor used may differ. The systems shown and described are notlimited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore,other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

1. A handheld electronic communications device, comprising: a housingsupporting communication electronics and a display, the housing having aperiphery; a first platform integrated into the housing and supporting afirst set of keys, the first set of keys being a subset of a full set ofalphabetic keys, the full set of alphabetic keys comprising raised keybuttons; a second platform supporting a second set of keys, the secondset of keys being a subset of the full set of alphabetic keys; a hingecoupled between the first platform and the second platform, the hingeallowing movement of the second platform from a first position to asecond position, wherein the second platform in the first position iswithin the periphery; and at least one input key that is exposed whenthe second platform is in the first position; wherein said one input keyis integrated into the housing separately from said first or secondplatform.
 2. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein thesecond platform in the first position conceals the alphabetic keys fromview.
 3. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein thealphabetic keys comprise a QWERTY keyboard.
 4. The handheld electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the second platform in the second positionallows the user to hold the housing in one hand and to type with thethumbs.
 5. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device includes a mobile phone transceiver.
 6. The handheldelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprisescellular phone capabilities.
 7. The handheld electronic device of claim1, wherein the electronic device comprises handheld computercapabilities.
 8. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device comprises personal digital assistant capabilities. 9.The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic devicecomprises wireless e-mail capabilities.
 10. The handheld electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the configuration of the first set of keys issymmetrical with the configuration of the second set of keys.
 11. Thehandheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the atleast one input keys is an application launching key.
 12. The handheldelectronic device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least oneinput keys is a navigation key.
 13. The handheld electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one input keys includes at least onenavigation key and at least one application launching key.
 14. A methodof providing textual information to a handheld electronic device,comprising: providing a handheld electronic device with a support area,the support area supporting a first subset of keys of a set of raisedkeys, and the support area being an integrated portion of a housing forthe handheld electronic device; rotating a platform, supporting a secondsubset of keys of the set of keys, about a hinge supported by thesupport area, to expose the set of keys to a user, the platform beingconfigured such that when the set of keys is not exposed to the user,the platform and the support area are within an outer periphery of thehousing; typing using the set of keys, the typing generating input tothe electronic device; and activating at least one button when the setof keys is concealed from view; said one button position separately fromsaid support area or said platform.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: rotating the platform about the hinge to conceal the set ofkeys from view.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the set of keyscomprises alphabetic keys.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the setof keys comprises alphanumeric keys.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: holding the housing in one hand; and typing with the thumbs.19. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic device includes amobile phone transceiver.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein theelectronic device comprises cellular phone capabilities.
 21. The methodof claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises handheld computercapabilities.
 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic devicecomprises personal digital assistant capabilities.
 23. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises wireless e-mailcapabilities.
 24. The method of claim 14, wherein the first set of keysis configured on the support area symmetrically with the second set ofkeys on the platform.
 25. A keyboard for an electronic communicationsdevice, comprising: a folding section supporting a first subset of keysof a set of raised keys; a fixed section supporting a second subset ofkeys of the set of keys; a coupling enabling movement of the foldingsection relative to the fixed section, the first subset of keys beingconcealed from view when the folding section is in a closed position,and the folding section is substantially within a footprint of theelectronic communications device when in the closed position; whereinthe electronic communications device comprises at least one navigationbutton on a body of the electronic communications device that is notconcealed from view when the folding section is in the closed position;said button positioned separately from said folding section or saidfixed section.
 26. The keyboard of claim 19, further comprising: a hingecoupling the folding section and the fixed section.
 27. The keyboard ofclaim 19, wherein the fixed section is integrated into a body of theelectronics communications device.